neither of these

USAGE SUMMARY

"neither of these" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that neither of two or more options mentioned is applicable or applicable. For example: "I have a choice between going to the store or ordering takeout, but neither of these is an option since I'm out of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Freud himself suggested neither of these alternatives.

The New York Times

Neither of these found support.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neither of these is documented or corroborated.

The New York Times

But neither of these contentions stands up.

The Economist

Neither of these predictions is borne out.

The New York Times

Neither of these wines was entirely convincing.

The New York Times - Food

Neither of these fears is justified.

The New Yorker

Neither of these arguments makes much sense.

The New York Times

Neither of these assertions is true.

The Economist

Neither of these are a Fields' specialty.

The New York Times

Neither of these possibilities bodes well".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "neither of these" when referring to more than two items; instead, use "none of these".

Common error

Ensure that the "these" in "neither of these" has a clear and immediate antecedent. Avoid ambiguity by placing the phrase too far from the items it references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither of these" functions as a determiner and pronoun, indicating that not one of the two previously mentioned items is true or applicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to negate two specific options. It's commonly used to express a negative choice or outcome regarding two defined possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither of these" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to negate two specific items or options. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Analysis of Ludwig examples highlights its prevalence in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. When using "neither of these", be mindful to ensure a clear reference to the two items being discussed and avoid using it when referring to more than two items. Alternatives include "none of these" and "not one of these", each with slightly different nuances. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and appropriately use "neither of these" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

none of these

Emphasizes that not a single item from a group is applicable, shifting from two specific items to a broader set.

not one of these

Highlights the individuality of items within the set, stressing that even a single one doesn't meet the criteria.

neither of such

A less common phrasing, but still indicates that none of the items mentioned possess a certain attribute.

none of those

Similar to "none of these", but directs attention to a group that is more distant or has already been identified.

not any of these

Stresses the complete absence of the attribute or characteristic across all items, providing greater emphasis on the negation.

in neither case

Shifts the focus to scenarios or situations rather than individual items, indicating the inapplicability of a statement in either situation.

not in either instance

Highlights particular instances and asserts that something is not true or valid in either.

this doesn't apply to either

Directly states that a particular condition or statement does not pertain to either of the items being considered.

both are incorrect

Offers a judgment on the accuracy or validity of two options, stating that neither is correct.

it's not the former or the latter

Explicitly separates the two options and indicates that the statement does not apply to either.

FAQs

How do I use "neither of these" in a sentence?

"Neither of these" is used to indicate that two previously mentioned options are not applicable or true. For example: "I wanted to go to the park or the beach, but "neither of these" were possible due to the rain."

When should I use "neither of these" vs. "none of these"?

Use "neither of these" when referring to exactly two options. Use "none of these" when referring to three or more options. For example: "Neither the red shirt nor the blue shirt fit me." vs. "None of these shirts fit me."

What are some alternatives to using "neither of these"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "none of these", "not one of these", or "in neither case".

Is it grammatically correct to say "neither of these are"?

While traditionally "neither" is considered singular and would take a singular verb ("neither of these is"), it's becoming increasingly common and acceptable to use a plural verb ("neither of these are"), especially in informal contexts. However, for formal writing, using "is" is still preferable.